After the Challenger. Biomedical opportunities in space.

Abstract

THE tragic loss of the space shuttle Challenger and its crew intensifies the need to identify meaningful long-term goals for the space program. The current hiatus in activities in space should be used to reexamine the fundamental question that has persisted despite nearly three decades of space flight: What potential benefits from the exploration of space justify risk to humans and economic investment? Since biomedical experimentation, observation, and processing of materials are peaceful pursuits with the potential to improve the human condition on earth, these initiatives may justify risk and expense. In this paper I shall review past biomedical activities . . .